The Southern African Development Community (SADC) Mission to the Kingdom of Lesotho (SOMILES) has closed down following successful elections in the Kingdom held on 28th February, 2015.
The SADC Double Troika Summit plus Democratic Republic of Congo and the United Republic of Tanzania which was held in Pretoria, South Africa on 15th September, 2014 decided to deploy the SOMILES in order to address the political and security developments in the Kingdom of Lesotho.
The Mission was closed down yesterday, 30th March, 2015 by the SADC Facilitator and Deputy President of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa and the SADC Executive Secretary H.E. Dr. Stergomena Lawrence Tax. The SADC Flag was lowered at a ceremony symbolising the closure of the mission.
"By this act we declare to the people of this country and the world to know, that peace and stability has indeed returned to Lesotho," said Deputy President Ramaphosa.
"At this juncture, let me also recognize and commend efforts by all Member States who contributed in one way or the other to this process, and especially who deployed SOMILES and contributed financially, in particular, Republic of South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Malawi and United Republic of Tanzania. I also wish to recognize efforts by the Coalition Government, led by the Former Prime Minister for being willing to work with SADC to finding solution to the political challenge, said Dr. Tax at the occasion.
The SADC executive Secretary further said "I would like to assure the people of the Kingdom of Lesotho that SADC will always be there to support SADC Member States, including our brothers and sisters in this very beautiful and great Kingdom Lesotho. We are confident that the milestones achieved will be safeguarded by the Basotho people".
